Author Topic: Sense of Wonder: An 11 year old's POV (Read 19161 times)

Tango Alpha Delta · **on:** February 17, 2008, 04:01:43 AM

Wisdom and Heresies spoken by my daughter during her first viewing of Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan.

"William Shatner? Isn't he the guy who plays Denny Crane?"

"You know, I think sci-fi movies are better than sci-fi books because you can see the ships and things that are happening."

"Hey, wow! That's Carmen and Juni's grandpa from Spy Kids!"

(Upon seeing the mind-controlling grostesqueries crawl into Chekhov's and Tyrrell's ears -- which I remembered as looking a lot more realistic in 1988, by the way, and which I expected to gross her out):
"Aw, those things are kinda cute! Did you see his little red tongue?" (Did I mention that she's really into dragons at the moment.)

"Woooowwwwww!" (Upon seeing the Mutara Nebula transform into the Genesis Planet.)

"What?!? Spock's dead? Then how can the next movie be called 'The Search for Spock'? That just doesn't make any sense..."

Stay tuned for her reaction to Christopher Lloyd's tragically Oscar-snubbed performance as the Klingon captain in STIII!

... "movies are better than books"... sheesh! What kind of parents are we???

CammoBlammo · **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2008, 11:00:42 AM

Look mate, I feel your pain. I can send you the number for a good support group in your area if you want.

Hee hee. I can stay detached in this instance because I never really got into Star Trek. I will admit to my sci-fiish vices having an effect on my kids though. When my youngest daughter was about four she had these make believe games in which Daniel Jackson and Teal'c would come waltzing through the stargate in her wardrobe (they lived under her bed, I believe). Now she's getting into Firefly. She just loves the horses in the opening credits.

Tango Alpha Delta · **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2008, 02:19:44 PM

Quote from: CammoBlammo on February 17, 2008, 11:00:42 AM

Look mate, I feel your pain. I can send you the number for a good support group in your area if you want.

Hee hee. I can stay detached in this instance because I never really got into Star Trek. I will admit to my sci-fiish vices having an effect on my kids though. When my youngest daughter was about four she had these make believe games in which Daniel Jackson and Teal'c would come waltzing through the stargate in her wardrobe (they lived under her bed, I believe). Now she's getting into Firefly. She just loves the horses in the opening credits.

Heh... takes all kinds! No one in my family was impressed with Stargate (except my wife, who has an unaccountable lifelong crush on James Spader), but the when the boys started playing with legos, they would bring me these humongous contraptions and declare them to be Kazon ships, etc. My favorite ST-related anecdote occurred the day I came home from work and my eldest was Capt. Janeway, the older of the two boys had chosen Harry Kim, and the younger boy (who couldn't speak yet) was Tuvok. I asked why they had made him Tuvok, as opposed to Tom Paris or Chakotay, and they looked at me like I was a soft, doddering old fool, and said, "But he just looks like Tuvok!"

Of course... why didn't I see it?

(Lars, Sept. 2002)

(Tuvok, 2371)

Thaurismunths · **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2008, 05:49:00 PM

Wow... Get the boy a tan and a yellow shirt and he could be a stunt double!

CammoBlammo · **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2008, 08:06:08 PM

Quote from: Thaurismunths on February 17, 2008, 05:49:00 PM

Wow... Get the boy a tan and a yellow shirt and he could be a stunt double!

If he's going to do stunt doubling you'd better make sure the shirt's not red...

eytanz · **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2008, 08:23:01 PM

Quote from: CammoBlammo on February 17, 2008, 08:06:08 PM

Quote from: Thaurismunths on February 17, 2008, 05:49:00 PM
Wow... Get the boy a tan and a yellow shirt and he could be a stunt double!

If he's going to do stunt doubling you'd better make sure the shirt's not red...

Well, red yellow shirts are pretty hard to get by, so I think he's safe.

CammoBlammo · **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2008, 04:55:40 AM

Quote from: eytanz on February 17, 2008, 08:23:01 PM

Quote from: CammoBlammo on February 17, 2008, 08:06:08 PM
Quote from: Thaurismunths on February 17, 2008, 05:49:00 PM
Wow... Get the boy a tan and a yellow shirt and he could be a stunt double!

If he's going to do stunt doubling you'd better make sure the shirt's not red...

Well, red yellow shirts are pretty hard to get by, so I think he's safe.

Red yellow shirts are fairly rare, but a few of the red shirts may have been okay if they were a little more yellow.

stePH · **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2008, 05:25:53 AM

Quote from: CammoBlammo on February 17, 2008, 08:06:08 PM

Quote from: Thaurismunths on February 17, 2008, 05:49:00 PM
Wow... Get the boy a tan and a yellow shirt and he could be a stunt double!

If he's going to do stunt doubling you'd better make sure the shirt's not red...

Since the beginning of The Next Generation, the red and yellow shirts have been flipped. Expendables wear yellow shirts now.

Tango Alpha Delta · **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2008, 12:42:56 AM

Quote from: Thaurismunths on February 17, 2008, 05:49:00 PM

Wow... Get the boy a tan and a yellow shirt and he could be a stunt double!

I've been wavering for two days, now, about the appropriateness of a reference to the stunt "doubles" from this classic film. (Classic in the loose sense, of course.

)

Tango Alpha Delta · **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2008, 02:49:25 AM

My daughter and I have been getting in a movie about every other Friday night lately. I rented D-War: Dragon Wars at her desperate request after she saw the trailer on Yahoo! movies, and while it was pretty much as crappy (plot and dialogue-wise) as I expected it to be, I was surprised that she seemed disappointed in it. It had lots of action and cool lizard battles (and very little actual blood - like an A-team episode), but it turned into a daddy/daughter MST3K session by the end. At one point I asked "Why did she run across the road? The dragon goes like 50mph, she can't get away?"

Her reply: "Maybe she was chasing the chicken?"

Last week we had The Last Mimzy. I didn't really know what to expect, because I had read the Lewis Padgett story it was "based on"... and we all know what "based on" can mean. I thought it was okay, but I figured she would be bored out of her mind, because it was mostly sitting around and talking, with a few pretty graphics. But she was absolutely blown away. She loved the idea of toys that could teach a kid how to build a wormhole.

Of course, I kept catching her holding her younger siblings' stuff toys up to her ear and listening intently. "Just checking, Dad," she'd say....

Hmmm. New rule: no wormholes in the house.

Thaurismunths · **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2008, 11:57:35 PM

Quote from: Tango Alpha Delta on February 19, 2008, 12:42:56 AM

Quote from: Thaurismunths on February 17, 2008, 05:49:00 PM
Wow... Get the boy a tan and a yellow shirt and he could be a stunt double!

I've been wavering for two days, now, about the appropriateness of a reference to the stunt "doubles" from this classic film. (Classic in the loose sense, of course.)

STUNT C*CK!

Tango Alpha Delta · **Reply #11 on:** March 16, 2008, 02:32:48 AM

Quote from: Thaurismunths on March 15, 2008, 11:57:35 PM

Quote from: Tango Alpha Delta on February 19, 2008, 12:42:56 AM
Quote from: Thaurismunths on February 17, 2008, 05:49:00 PM
Wow... Get the boy a tan and a yellow shirt and he could be a stunt double!

I've been wavering for two days, now, about the appropriateness of a reference to the stunt "doubles" from this classic film. (Classic in the loose sense, of course.)
STUNT C*CK!

Ha! Thanks... it was worth the wait to not be the one to say it!

bolddeceiver · **Reply #12 on:** March 16, 2008, 07:04:06 AM

Quote from: Tango Alpha Delta on March 15, 2008, 02:49:25 AM

Last week we had The Last Mimzy. I didn't really know what to expect, because I had read the Lewis Padgett story it was "based on"... and we all know what "based on" can mean. I thought it was okay, but I figured she would be bored out of her mind, because it was mostly sitting around and talking, with a few pretty graphics. But she was absolutely blown away. She loved the idea of toys that could teach a kid how to build a wormhole.

Of course, I kept catching her holding her younger siblings' stuff toys up to her ear and listening intently. "Just checking, Dad," she'd say....

Hmmm. New rule: no wormholes in the house.

I like that rule. That short story seriously creeped me out, and I've been sort of curious about what kind of children's movie they would make it into. Worth seeing?

Tango Alpha Delta · **Reply #13 on:** March 16, 2008, 04:49:43 PM

Quote from: bolddeceiver on March 16, 2008, 07:04:06 AM

Quote from: Tango Alpha Delta on March 15, 2008, 02:49:25 AM

Last week we had The Last Mimzy. I didn't really know what to expect, because I had read the Lewis Padgett story it was "based on"... and we all know what "based on" can mean. I thought it was okay, but I figured she would be bored out of her mind, because it was mostly sitting around and talking, with a few pretty graphics. But she was absolutely blown away. She loved the idea of toys that could teach a kid how to build a wormhole.

Of course, I kept catching her holding her younger siblings' stuff toys up to her ear and listening intently. "Just checking, Dad," she'd say....

Hmmm. New rule: no wormholes in the house.

I like that rule. That short story seriously creeped me out, and I've been sort of curious about what kind of children's movie they would make it into. Worth seeing?

I did like it; and my 11-y.o. loved it. There wasn't anything in it that was horribly disturbing, except for a scene of the future that seemed to show aliens with laser guns shooting a mad-scientist sort of fellow. Nothing they haven't seen on Star Trek. It would get torn apart in the forums here if it were an EP episode... "characters underdeveloped", "not SF enough", "illogical dialogue and plot points"... but it wasn't terrible.

I still think smaller kids would just be bored, but you can never underestimate the attraction of a cute, stuffed, hyper-intelligent rabbit.

bad_andy · **Reply #14 on:** March 18, 2008, 11:07:04 PM

Quote from: Tango Alpha Delta on February 17, 2008, 04:01:43 AM

"Hey, wow! That's Carmen and Juni's grandpa from Spy Kids!"

Oh, you mean... KHHHAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNN!!!

Tango Alpha Delta · **Reply #15 on:** March 21, 2008, 12:48:41 PM

How far he has come...

Words of wisdom from Denny Crane of Boston Legal

''I can never understand why people don't use violence more often to solve their problems. Works every time.''

Tango Alpha Delta · **Reply #16 on:** March 29, 2008, 02:43:35 PM

LOTR: Fellowship of the Rings.

(Background: I explained before we started that there are three movies. I explained that each of them is very long. I explained that we were not going to see all three in one night... I thought I made it clear that we wouldn't get to the end...and then...)

11-year-old: (after opening battle sequence) "Cool!"

11-year-old: (after Merry and Pippin launch firework-dragon) "Whoa!"

11-year-old: (upon appearance of elves) "Oh, sweet!"

11-year-old: (after Gandalf reveals Saruman has cross-bred goblins and orcs) "So, what would you call those? Gorcs?"

Frodo: "I am glad that YOU are with me, Sam"
(roll credits)

11-year-old: "What!?!?! I thought they were going to throw the ring into some lava or something?"

(Conclusion: my daughter has selective hearing... but I'll soon be badgered into showing Two Towers.

)

birdless · **Reply #17 on:** March 31, 2008, 03:00:36 PM

Quote from: Tango Alpha Delta on March 29, 2008, 02:43:35 PM

LOTR: Fellowship of the Rings.

(Background: I explained before we started that there are three movies. I explained that each of them is very long. I explained that we were not going to see all three in one night... I thought I made it clear that we wouldn't get to the end...and then...)

11-year-old: (after opening battle sequence) "Cool!"

11-year-old: (after Merry and Pippin launch firework-dragon) "Whoa!"

11-year-old: (upon appearance of elves) "Oh, sweet!"

11-year-old: (after Gandalf reveals Saruman has cross-bred goblins and orcs) "So, what would you call those? Gorcs?"

Frodo: "I am glad that YOU are with me, Sam"
(roll credits)

11-year-old: "What!?!?! I thought they were going to throw the ring into some lava or something?"

(Conclusion: my daughter has selective hearing... but I'll soon be badgered into showing Two Towers. )

I cannot wait to have this same experience with my son!

(he's not 2 yet; but if Elmo was Bilbo's favorite nephew, he might sit through it)

Darwinist · **Reply #18 on:** March 31, 2008, 06:30:17 PM

Quote from: Tango Alpha Delta on March 29, 2008, 02:43:35 PM

LOTR: Fellowship of the Rings.

Frodo: "I am glad that YOU are with me, Sam"
(roll credits)

11-year-old: "What!?!?! I thought they were going to throw the ring into some lava or something?"

That's the same reaction this middle aged doofus had at the time also. I was unfamiliar with the whole LOTR saga at the time. I have since read the books and seen all the movies so I've upgraded my geekness quotient.

Tango Alpha Delta · **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2008, 12:56:32 AM

Quote from: birdless on March 31, 2008, 03:00:36 PM

I cannot wait to have this same experience with my son! (he's not 2 yet; but if Elmo was Bilbo's favorite nephew, he might sit through it)

You hush that evil talk before they DO it! "Elmo in Grouchland" I can ignore... "Elmo Goes to Mordor"... I would have to go on a quest that could only end in the torture and death of a lot of muppets!

Edit: This is all the cuteness you should ever need.

CammoBlammo · **Reply #20 on:** April 01, 2008, 01:57:49 AM

This thread's beginning to give me deja vu. The only thing I remember about The Dark Crystal was walking out and wishing Jim Henson would do The Lord of the Rings. I'm not saying it needed to be Elmo cutesy, or even needed the typical Henson humour. I think it would have rocked.

'There and back again --- the adventures of a furry red monster' could have made a great prequel, though.

Tango Alpha Delta · **Reply #21 on:** April 15, 2008, 08:24:26 PM

Well, it took a couple of weeks, but we did it: we finished LOTR.

11-year-old's response: "AWEsome!"

Simple, and to the point.

On a side note... she's hooked on West Wing. " It's funny... I like it! But I don't understand it all."

Neither do we, sweetheart. Neither do we...

Heradel · **Reply #22 on:** April 15, 2008, 08:57:52 PM

Quote from: Tango Alpha Delta on April 15, 2008, 08:24:26 PM

On a side note... she's hooked on West Wing. " It's funny... I like it! But I don't understand it all."

Neither do we, sweetheart. Neither do we...

I loved that show, but the time it took for Donna and Josh to get together was just insane.

Tango Alpha Delta · **Reply #23 on:** April 15, 2008, 09:00:40 PM

Quote from: Heradel on April 15, 2008, 08:57:52 PM

Quote from: Tango Alpha Delta on April 15, 2008, 08:24:26 PM
On a side note... she's hooked on West Wing. " It's funny... I like it! But I don't understand it all."

Neither do we, sweetheart. Neither do we...

I loved that show, but the time it took for Donna and Josh to get together was just insane.

Gah! Spoilers!! We're only in season 1!!! (I guess I'll let the daughter be surprised.)

Heradel · **Reply #24 on:** April 15, 2008, 09:01:30 PM

Quote from: Tango Alpha Delta on April 15, 2008, 09:00:40 PM

Quote from: Heradel on April 15, 2008, 08:57:52 PM
Quote from: Tango Alpha Delta on April 15, 2008, 08:24:26 PM
On a side note... she's hooked on West Wing. " It's funny... I like it! But I don't understand it all."

Neither do we, sweetheart. Neither do we...

I loved that show, but the time it took for Donna and Josh to get together was just insane.

Gah! Spoilers!! We're only in season 1!!! (I guess I'll let the daughter be surprised.)

Sorry, but you'll have forgotten this by the time you get there, I guarantee it.